Martin Rowe wins $1m Asia Pacific Poker Tour (APPT) grand final in Sydney - The Australian - 8th December 2008

He started out playing in pub tournaments just three years ago, but 34-year-old financial analyst Martin Rowe is now $1 million richer after taking out the Asia Pacific Poker Tour (APPT) grand final in Sydney.

Mr Rowe, from North Sydney, finished king of the tour after a gruelling nine hours of competition on Sunday at Sydney's Star City Casino.

The tournament began on Tuesday with 477 players, but by Sunday only nine players, including seven from Australia, were left with chips on the table.

Mr Rowe said he was "absolutely thrilled and a little bewildered'' to be $1 million richer.

"It feels great; it hasn't sunk in,'' he said.

"I haven't really made any decisions at all about how it's changed my life or what I'm going to do with it.''

Mr Rowe had been playing tournament poker for only three years when he entered a tournament at his local pub.

But he quickly outgrew that and six months ago began playing in tournaments at Sydney's Star City Casino, where he continued to refine his game.

The APPT was his first major tournament, and featured an impressive starting field, including current world champion Peter Eastgate, and former champion Chris Moneymaker.

"Three years ago a pub near me started up a normal league, and I started playing in that because I was interested in the game, and how the odds came together,'' he said.

"I started out hoping not to make a fool of myself, and rapidly improved.''

Mr Rowe, who only two months ago started a business building financial models for life insurance companies, said he may now consider life as a professional poker player.

"I think I might take a break from work,'' he said.

"I haven't made any decisions about where I go from here. I won't be making any decisions until after tomorrow.''

(Credit: The Australian)

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